Jones-Onslow EMC recently achieved the “5-Star Co-op” status from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The 5-star designation recognizes JOEMC’s high level of participation in Co-ops Vote, a national get-out-the-vote campaign. The non-partisan campaign seeks to engage voters and boost voter turnout in areas served by electric co-ops all across the country.

“Presidential elections aren’t the only ones that matter,” said cooperative CEO Jeff Clark, “State and local elections have a huge impact on our day to day lives in our communities. We’re honored to be recognized by NRECA.”

“Electric cooperatives play a unique and special role as a voice in their communities,” said NRECA CEO Jim Matheson. “Elections are important, especially in rural areas, and Jones-Onslow has used the Co-ops Vote Program to increase awareness of our civic duty on Election Day and every day. I’m pleased to congratulate them on this accomplishment as they make a real difference in the communities they serve.”

Five-star status marks the highest level of engagement in Co-ops Vote and is achieved when a participating co-op completes at least five activities under the program. Jones-Onslow earned this distinction by using its digital and traditional communication channels and media outreach efforts to communicate to co-op members the importance of actively participating in the Co-ops Vote campaign—urging them to register to vote, stay informed on rural issues affecting their lives and communities and to turn out to the polls on election day to make their voices heard.

More information on JOEMC’s Co-ops Vote Program is available by click here or on the national campaign website at vote.coop.

As a member of Jones-Onslow EMC, you make an investment in your co-op every time you pay your bill. This collective investment in the co-op benefits you and the community immediately and over time. So what exactly is this monthly investment, and how do you benefit from it?

The facility charge you see on your electric bill is a monthly investment that helps your coop cover the expenses of maintaining the overall electric system. Combatting cyber security threats and maintaining poles, wires, substations and co-op equipment takes strategic planning and significant resources. The facility charge essentially ensures that all equipment operates properly and staff is trained and ready so the lights turn on when you need them.

When rates are developed for all classes of members (residential, commercial, industrial and general use), consideration is also given to those monthly expenses mentioned above that do not vary based on electric consumption.

Regardless of how much electricity a particular family uses, the cost of delivering power to that house, apartment or modular home is the same. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we believe the operational costs should be spread fairly and equitably across all of our members, regardless of the level of electricity use. That is why every member (in the various rate classifications) pays the facility charge each month to cover basic operational costs. In the case of residential members, everyone is charged the same amount for the cost of operation since all members benefit from the same service. In essence, this gives each co-op member an equal share in JOEMC’s operation.

Your monthly investment ensures you have access to safe, reliable and affordable power when you need it. We appreciate and value the investment that you make in your co-op each month and we strive to use that investment wisely for the benefit of all members of our community.

Today’s smart home has blossomed to near Jetson-esque capabilities. The applications for home automation are racing ahead, fueled by the ever-present availability of wireless technology and the growth of the Internet of Things.

The actual smart home gadgets and technologies continue to evolve, but the smart phone/mobile app seems to be taking the lead. And with the ease of installation, usability and programming enabled by wireless technology and these apps, anyone not already engaged with smart home tech should at least consider dipping a toe in the water.

Learning how to save energy and money with JOEMC’s free Energy Advisor and Energy Resource Center is as easy as 1…2…3…

Just visit our website and look for the Energy Audit & Home Energy Calculators sections under the Energy Center tab. These tools can help you break down your energy use into dollars and provide recommendations on how to save.

JOEMC offers several convenient and secure options for members to pay their bills. Accepted forms of payment are cash, check, and Visa, MasterCard, American Express* or Discover Card.

Online Bill Pay: The payment portal, which is mobile friendly, allows you more options than just bill paying. When making a payment a confirmation is given and the amount owed immediately updates on the “View Your Current Balance” screen. Click here to register for online bill pay (you must have your electric account number to register).

Automatic Bank Draft: The Automatic Draft Payment Plan eliminates the hassle of writing a check each month. You can arrange to have the payment deducted from your bank checking account, debit card or credit card. Signing up for automatic draft is easy…you can use our self-service, online feature when you log in to your account, complete the online form or visit/call the office and speak to a customer service representative.

Mail/ In Person/Night Deposit: Members always have the option of mailing in their payment, paying in person at our Jacksonville or Sneads Ferry offices or using the night deposit at each office. Please note payments put in the night drop box after normal business hours may not be applied to your account until the next business day.

Pay By Phone: Members can also pay their bill via phone by using our automated system. Pay by phone is available 24/7 and accepts echecks and credit cards.

Remote Payment Kiosks: Payment kiosks are located close to your neighborhood. Payments post to your account immediately, just as if you had driven into the office to pay or paid via our website. Currently, we have four payment sites (two of them accessible 24-hours a day). Go to Payment Options for the address of each kiosk. (*American Express currently not accepted at the kiosks).

Summer offers a nice reprieve from the shuffling papers, carpools and heavy backpacks of the school year. It’s time to get back to it though. As your children head out each day, you want one major thing, for them to get through the day safely.

Use these tips for peace of mind:

FOR DRIVERS

Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic.

In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection.

Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children. If the yellow or red lights are flashing on a school bus and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.

FOR STUDENTS

Don’t text while walking.

Make sure traffic is stopped, and watch out for traffic changes, before you cross the center line of the road.

Never cross the street while using electronic devices.

Wait for the bus to stop before getting out of your seat.

Use the handrail when entering and exiting the bus.

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Stay Plugged In

Going out of the country for an extended period of time? Storm in our area and you want to see an up-to-date outage map? Wondering if we service the new location where you're moving? Maybe you want to set up an automatic draft or just manage your account? Our resource page has all the information you need at the click of button.

About JOEMC

Jones-Onslow EMC is a member of Touchstone Energy®, an alliance of local, consumer-owned electric co-operatives across the country committed to providing superior service to all customers, large and small. We provide high standards of service to all customers —residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural.